The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-05-29
PERSONAL AND SOCIETY GOSSIP.
A glimpse of the city's Social Life.

la foundations that have stood the work OF
-..rs They are progressive. too, and in the
...s+er Of originality are in the lead. The large
-rrnber OF churches in the city has much to do
.,h developing the social life, and the origin OF
.rsnv Of the societies and clubs, especially those
!, literary character. can be traced directly to
church work.
The national work os the Chautauque Literary
ana Social Circle. the course of reading in
r.h;cA is followed by thousands in this country,
N.a been chiefly taken up by the members Of the
yrs. Baptist Church, and several have been
Graduated. Their meetings arc held every Mon
Say Afternoon, and about four times each season
shsro In an evening meeting, when some promi-
nant gentleman is invited to prepare and read a
naper on some great subject or work. The liter
~ portions Of the programmes are often inter-
spsrsed with vocal or instrumental music, mem
hers are requested to repeat some quotation, and
rariOus other exercises relieve and frsshen the
mind
The Matinee Musicale is about to close tho
s,sventh year OF Its existence. The first few
Gears there was but little progress made, except
IA small way. The meetings were held at the
homes of the members, and songs piano num-
hers were given. No regular programmes we're
manned. Members frequently brought sewing
ar fancy work, and bur one or two pieces mi CHIT
~ ali the music there was for m afternoon The
next step was a selection OF subjects or compos-
era and each member was given n subject and
date. when she was expected to invite any one
10 sing or play piece from the composer. This
brought more regularity and q certain pro-
Vramme. The society ia composed and governed
entirely by women The meetings are now
held in Plymouth Church. There are fifty
active and about fifty associate members. The
former do all the work, and the latter enjoy all
privileges of meetings, concerts and recitals,
though they have no vote. There three di-
visions of active members, an equal number of
yOcasts and instrumen tslists in each. and
head for each branch. The heads of divisions
have TO select the music for each programme
given by them, and prepare for one public con-
cert during the year. The meetings are held
fortnightly. on Wednesday afternoon, and each
division renders the music from a given subject
in succession. At every fourth meeting n mis-
ccllaneous programme Ia given in charge of two
members appointed by the president, when
each invited to take part may
select, whatever she peases to do. The printed
programmes, with subjects. dates, names of di-
visions and heads. associate members and bylaws
Of the society, are distributed the last day of
one season to show the work for the coming
wear. The work for the present season has in
eIuded the compositions of Brahms, Jensen,
Anton RuDenstein. Raft, Grieg Mendelssohn,
Wagner, biszt, and music of Russian. modern
German French and Belgian. Scandinavian and
recent American composition. An essay on the
subject for the day is read by ono appointed by
the executive board. The society is considered
one. IL not the leading one, in the city. and mem
harship is considered by ballot, three black balls
rriecting the one for whom tho vote 10 taken.
The woman's Club, like many others. bas
outsrown it's original dimensions. for, like many
others. 1t was founded by few women. who
met in private residences, and mem bership was
unlimited. As numbers increased, however.
more stringent rules were found necessary, and
he constitution at present allows but seventy
FIVE. The club In considered exclusive The
name OF a new member mas to be presented TO
the committee appointed for the purpose. in
writing and signed by two vouchers. The name
s presented 10 the club for three consecutive
meetings, and at the third vote 10
taken; five mays" reject the appli-
can't The members include nearly all
az the most highly educated women in the city.
The exercises on the first and third Fridays of
the month, from October TO June. usually con-
eist of one Or two carefully prepared papers and
a convorsatiou, each member taking part, except
IN the general conversation, in two years
The subjects include authors and their books,
Bible and missionary topics, the different reig-
ions and their origin, chemistry. astronomy.
history, tragedy. comedy, plays and players
roets and poetry, ancient and modern literature;
the press libraries artists, pictures, music and
musicians, societies. TOPICS of the day and local
and general reviews of current events. Two
ears ago the club celebrated it's tenth anniver-
members who woGld rather miss almost any
thing than meeting. and all get the credit of
knowing n great deal more than those who
outside Of that circle.
The Indianapolis Literary Club includes in it's
membership the prominent ministers, lawyers
and doctors, and few in other professions
Their meetings are held every Monday night
and consequently their topics numer-
kous than in any other club in the city. The first
Monday night of the month ia called ladies'
night, when members may invite ladies to be
present. The elections are held annually and
the officers consist of president. three vicepres-
dents, secretary and treasurer. The club
room is in Plymouth Church and was fitted
lnp by this club exclusively. and is sub.
Elet BY them TO the Womans Club IL
'is handsomely furnished with carpet and
draperies. "a cabinet and other furniture, while
the walls adorned with valuable etchings
ana enRravsngs, and two or three fine oil paint
ingS The elections of members by secret
ballot. The esssyists select their own subjects
and are free to express any opinion whatsoever
thereon. The essays are followed by converse
t3n IN which any or all take part Prominent
men from abroad are sometimes present
The nueleus of the Art Association was formed
ns the results Of a Of lectures in art given
By Mrs. Adset. of Milwaukee. aboGt fvo years
aeo, when she was invited to the city by Mrs
May Wright SewalI. and aroused considerable
interest The membership is not limited. rs in
me other clubs. The meetings arc held monthly,
and at each paper is read relative to some
branch of art, and illustrated. Dur
Ing the last season several small
exhibits have been held-one of 'laces and en-
oroideries" at tho Bates House. Tho "Rool1-
wood pottery" was shown ut the residence of
Mrs. f. Y Hodges. Last week closed the fourth
annual public exhibit made by the association.
some Of the pictures this year which have
ceived the most attention were from the brushes
y nome Artists. The proceeds of the public ak
niots are placed In the buying fund. IL is the
nope OF the association to have public art
gallery. and the pictures bought by them are
leefed from the collection by n vote OF the mem
hers Going Home" bv NJ. NJ ID. Pullman, of
Lhicago Running for an Anchorage" by Harry
Shase, OF New York: ''Loch Lomond." by Arthur
rarton, of New York; and 1.-THE Anxious Moth
or, BY Psrcival DE Luce, OF New York. are the
property OF the association
The Catherine Merrill Club is purely literary,
and named Ia >camplimont to Miss Catherine
Merrill, one Of the citv's best known literary
women, ana started from class in literature
under her instruction. There is no club in the
city where there Ia more copgeniality. The
meetings are held once month, on Saturday
afternoons. The subjects are mostly of authors
ana books, with occasionally a consideration of